A MULTIMILLION rand project to draw water from Nandoni Dam in Thohoyandou, Venda, to alleviate water shortage problems in Giyani is under way.

The Mopani district municipality in conjunction with the Limpopo provincial government has set aside R175million for the project.

Giyani was declared a disaster area at the weekend because of the acute shortage of water.

The area experienced dry seasons last year and this year which saw two dams, which were the only sources of water, running dry.

The situation forced residents, including those in the leafy suburb of Kremetart, to leave their houses to relieve themselves in the bush when nature called.

Giyani was declared a pilot area for rural development by President Jacob Zuma, where the government would allocate resources for poverty alleviation and development.

Of the estimated population of 2million, three quarters depend on social grants for survival.

Mopani district municipality manager Tim Maake said a feasibility study for the commencement of the project was completed and that work would commence before the end of next month.

Maake said the project would ensure that water is drawn from Nandoni Dam to Giyani for consumption.

Maake said by the time the project is completed, there would be enough clean water for all households and businesses in the area.

Maake said half the job would be labour intensive and half machinery-dependent because of tight deadlines.

Meanwhile, residents of the picturesque suburbs of Flora and Fauna Park in Polokwane had to draw water from the city centre for two days.

This was because of maintenance of the pipe supplying water to the two areas.